Steelers vs. Lions Week 8 injury report: 3 players ruled out Sunday

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ daily injury reports have not been encouraging this week, as was Friday’s. Limited by lingering injuries, three key players will miss the game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Steeler Nation was prepared for the absence of Vance McDonald, Marcus Gilbert and Stephon Tuitt, who didn’t practice all week. After sitting out Friday’s training session, none of them were expected to be cleared to play in Detroit, and each was officially ruled out. With a bye week next Sunday, all should hopefully be healthy enough to return in Week 10.

Rookie linebacker T.J. Watt had a surprise appearance on the injury list for the first time this week. Limited on Friday because of an ankle injury, Watt is still optimistic he will be able to suit up against the Lions, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Despite their inclusion on the team’s injury report on Wednesday, both JuJu Smith-Schuster and David DeCastro look good to go on Sunday having practiced the rest of the week.